Pressure-control system for sterilizing and processing apparatus



1924 V H. INGRAM PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR STERILIZING AND PROCESSING APPARATUS Fild Feb.' 24. 1923 s sheets-sheet 1 .FuHy l5 1924. OLHZ v v H. INGRAM v PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR STERILIZING AND PROCESSING APPARATUS 4 Filed FebT 24. 192s 5 sheets-sheen 2 l ff-4T@ f2 ff if; f

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H. INGRAM v I PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEIWFOR STERILZING AND PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24 192:5 3 sheets-sheet 3 Patented .lilly l5, i924.

isernia;

HARRY INGRAM, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

'iinrssnnE-con'frnon SYSTEM ron s'riimnizme AND :enocnssme manantia- To all 'whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that '1, HARRY INGRAM, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain or other.medium contained in a suitable tank Vor retort and subjected to the desired temperature, usually ranging from 240 degrees to 250 degrees F., and in which provision is made for supplying and for automatically regulating a pressure in the processing tank sullicient to overbalaiice the internal pressure generated within the receptacles, 'with intention to prevent such internall pressure from blowing. olf `the caps.

In sterilizingiapparatus of this kind, the automatic pressure regulating means heretofore pioposed comprised as their essential elemen an auxiliary vessel or sam le receptacle of the same volume and coe cient of expansion as and filled with material similar to the contents of, the receptacles to be processed. This auxiliary vessel is immersed in the processing tank whereby thev temperature changes cause expansions and contractions of the contents of the said vessel which are transmitted to a diaphragm cover there- .i on which controls the admission of the counter-pressure to and its release from the processing tank. Exact conformity between the specimen auxiliary vessel and the receptacles undergoing treatment does Anot however give conditions within lthe said vessel adequately representative of those within the receptacles, because'offthe frictional and other resistances of the control means. The expansions and contractions of the auxiliary vessel, having these resistances to overcome, of the receptacles which are not subjectto equivalent resistances, with the result that the caps thereof are liable to be blown olf.

I Furthermore such exact conformity of the are less than and lag behind those Application Bled February 24, 1928. Serial No. 620,87l.

auxiliary' vessel with the receptacles being processed prevents the maintenance of -a pressure preponderance in vthe processing tank, because there must be a preponderance of pressure in )the receptacles sucientto bulge the caps thereof before anypressure regulation commences. s

The present invention consists inthe auxiliary tank employed as' counter-pressure regulating means being `independent', of the treated receptacles as regards its characteristics which are pertinent to the process, viz, volume, shape, and `contents, and adapted to give conditions within the auxiliary tank which are at all times adequately representative of those within the receptacles, and to l)ensure at all times a uniform preponderance of pressure in the processing tank, for preventing the caps being blown oft, the quantity of liquid in the auxiliary tank being re ulatable. v he modernitendency is to use caps of very thin material which take a comparatively slight hold on kthe rims of the receptacles and the machine of the present invention has been lfound to operate with entire satisfaction under these conditions.

The invention' will be 'fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to thev ac-l companying drawin in which:

Fig. -1 is a diagrammatic view, section and partly broken away, o i essing apparatus equippedwith the pressure control features of my invention, all the parts being shown in neutral ositon;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section throug tion of the pressure control mechanism, the portion shown representing two diaphragms exposed to the opposing pressures 1n the artly in a procprocessing tank and the auxiliary chamber Fig. 4:" a detached to view partl. in section, olf a tube aordiriig th aumliary erica.

ect an in'creaseor the.

chamber I employ in the main processing tank representative of the pressure conditions existing within the tumblers or jars under treatment, variations in said connections being utilized to automatically effect an increase or decrease of the pressure, as may be required, within the processing tank to act against the caps on the tumblers or jars therein;

Fig. 5 is .a vertical section through a portion of fthe apparatus taken on the dotted line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view substantially'corresponding with Fig. 2 and showing the mechanism thereof on a larger scale and as having been operated from neutral position by an increase of pressure in said auxiliary chamber to admit an additional supply of pressure to the processing tank to act against the caps on the tumblers or jars therein, and 1 Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, of one of the valves.

and its pipe connections, with an electro magnet for opening the valve when required.

In the drawings, 10 designates a sterilizing or processing tank or retort of ordinary type, 11 a steam coil therein for properly heating the water, and 12 abasket of jars or tumblers -immersed within the water 13 and resting upon a screen or perforated plate 14, the features thus far identified being of any usual or suitable type.

15 designates a compressed air tank with the use of which suitable pressure is introduced into the upper end of the tank 10 for exerting the proper pressure on the caps 16 of the tumblers or containers 17 for preventing the internal pressure generated during the sterilizing or processing operations within the tumblers or containers 17, from blowing said caps 0H from the tumblers or containers. 10 by means of a'vsuppl -pipe 18, and from the upper end of the tagli 10 I lead a blowoff pipe 19, .said pipesV being respectively equipped with valves 20, 21 to control the passage through them.

The tank 10 is equipped with a supply pipe 22 for water and with adrain outlet pipe 23. The steam coil ,11 isemployed for heating the water 13 within the tank 10, and after the pr cessing operation has continued a suiicien'glength of time said coil 11 is used for circulating cold water therein 'for cooling the water 13. The coil 11 has valved inlet land outlet connections 24, 25,

' respectively, for steam and valvedcoldwater inlet 4and outlet connections 2 6, 27, respectively, for use when cold water is to be circulated through the coil 11.

Within the tank 10 I place a ring-shaped tube 28 affording an auxiliary chamber 29 for liquid and which is sealed at one end as shown in Fig. 4 and provided with a pipe connection 30 at its other end. I recom- I connect tlfe'tank 15 with the tank 4 mend the ring-shaped tube 28 as one means for providing the auxiliary chamber 29, because said tube occupies a minimum of space within the lower end of the tank 10. The tube 28 however forms an auxiliary tank and may be of any convenient shape adapted to the conditions to be met in processing tanks. The auxiliary tank represented by the. tube 28is one of the important features of the invention, and the chamber 29 within this auxiliary tank is, in use, representative of the chambers within the tumblers or other containers 17, said auxiliary chamber 29 being utilized in connection with the other fea` tures of the apparatus as a governor or controller for regulating the pressure within the tank 10 so that at all times said pressure shall preponderate to the extent of three or four pounds, for instance, over the pressure generated by the processing operation within the. tumblers 17 this preponderance of pressure serving to prevent the pressure withinV the tumblers from blowing of the ca'ps 16. When the temperature of the water/13 is such that the internal pressure within the tumblers 17 increases, a similar increase of pressure will take place in the auxiliarychamber 29 and this increaseof pressure in said chamber acts through the mechanism hereinafter to be described, to open the valve 2O in the pipe line 18 for the purpose 'of admitting an additional supply of pressure from the tank 15 into the upper end of the tank 10, thereby increasing the pressure in the tank 10 in proportion as the pressure increases within the tumblers 17.. U on a decrease of pressure in the tumblersl due to a decrease of temperature in the water 13, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber 29 likewise decreases and permits through. the mechanism hereinafter described, the closing of the valve 20 in the pipe line18, thus cutting off the supply of pressure from the compressed air tank 15 to the tank 10'.- There is a constant automatic balancing of pressures effected from the auxiliary chamber 29 between the internal 'conditions o'f the tumblers 17 and the tank 10.

vThe pipe 30 leading from the chamber 29 of the auxiliary tank 28, of whatever pform said auxiliary tank may take, is pr'ovided with a filling funnel 31 and valve 32 said valve being provided to open the pipe v30 to the funnel 31 0r cut olf said funnel trally above the diaphragm chamber 35 is .a corresponding inverteddiaphragm chamber 39 formed within an inverted cupmem- `to the upper .end of the tank 10. -A

an' upper correspon g head 46 between the diaphragm 42- and cap 41. The diaphragm 38 is exposed to the pressure within the auxiliary tank 28, the chamber 35 hold- Y ing said diaphragm being onnected the the diaphragm 42 is exposd to hed tank 10, said' piping 33, 30 with said auxiliary tank, and

the pressure within the upper end of .tank l10 being connected by thepipe 43 with the chamber 39 containing said diaphragm 42. l'llhe rod 44, heads 45, 46 and diaphragms 38, 42 are moved .upwardly by an increase of pressure within the auxiliary o the internal pressure conditions of the tumblers 17, and this movement is` for the purpose, through switch mechanism presently to be described, of admitting an increased pressure from the vtank 15 into the upper end of the tank' 10.

When the increase-pressure in the auxiliary tank 28 has diminished and thus relieved the` lower diaphra m 38, the pressure vin the upper end o the tank 10 will act against the diaphragm 42 to lrestore the rod 44 and switch devlces operated therefrom to their normal or neutral condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. An abnormal pressure in the tank 10, will act against the diaphragm 42 and rod 44 to open the'blow-oii' pipe 19,

which will relieve the. tank ofpsuch pressure, as hereinafter explained.

( The lever ..51 is pivotall and slot connection 57, 58;` respectively, the ends of the 'pivotally .mounted in -verse y supporting '51, ypi

The parts forming the diaphragm-chambers 35, 39 are supported bya cylindrical casin or frame 47 which isslotted transand supports on lugs 48 a switchbar 49, this bar having a hole 50 through may freel slide. The. ed ov t e bar 49 comprise a pivoted lever pivoted switch`,arms 54, 55, respectively. mounted in the upper end of a standar 56 supported by the bar 49, and the links 52, 53 have a pin with lever 51, the. link 52 being the upper end of a standard ,59 and the` link -53 mounted in the upper end of a standard or post 60. The switchmembers y54, 55 are pivotally mounted in -the upper ends of posts or 'standards 61, 62, respectively, and are connected by sprin s 63, 64, respectively,

.with the outer endsor` t e respective links 52,

free of their respective contacts 65, 66, re-

. opening it throughy which the rod 44v switch devices mourntted links 52, 53, respectively, and

rbeing likewise 'bar 49 and have stems extending through said bar 4to lreceive .the upper ends of the conductors 69, 70, respectively, which are held in place by nuts 71 threaded upon the stems of said standards 61, 62, as shown in Fig. 5.

The mainv lever 51 of the switch mechanism extends between rollers 72, '73 carried within al slot in'the rod 44 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. When the rod 44 is moved upwardly by an increase in pressure in the diaphragm chamber 35 it tilts the left hand end, looking at Figs. 2 and 6, ofthe lever 51 upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6,"and the right hand end of said lever downwardly, and th's movement of the lever 51 rocks the links 5 5301i their pivots, turning the outer end of thev link 52 downwardly and the outer end of the link 53' upwardly, asshown in Fig. 6, and this results in the link 52 acting through the springs 63 to clamp the switch 54 downward against the contact. 65 and in the link 53 pulling on the springs 541to maintain the switch 55 clear of its contact 66. The contact made between the switch arm 54 and contact 65 results in the making of a circuit through the conductor I67, electro-magnet 74, conductor 75, conducpermit additional pressure to flow from the compressed air tank 15 through said pipe line in-to the upper end of the tank 10, whereby `'to overbalance the increase lof pressure indicated in the tumblers or containers 17 bytheincrease of pressure in the diaphragm chamber 35. In the condition of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6, the pressure within the tumblers or containers 17 and auxiliary tank 28 has risen and an additional supply of pressure in the upper end of the tank 10 isrequired to overbalance the sama-and this additional supply of pressure passes from the compressed air tank 15 into the tank 10 due to the fact that the valve 20 has "been opened automatically by such increase in pressure in the auxiliary tank 28.. When the pressure in the tumblers17 and auxiliarytank 28 decreases or when the pressure in the up-perendof the tank 10 has increased suiiiciently to 'overbalance the pressure in the auxi1iary-tank 28, such increase of pressure as may have passed into the upper end of the tank 1() will low`J tllilrough P mgm phrasm the pipe 43 into the upper diachan'iber 39 and force the dia- 42, rod 44 and diaphragm 38 downthe valve 20 in the pipe line 18 to wardly to their normal neutral position,

, and this movement of the rod 44 acts against the lever 51 vto restore said lever and the links 52, 53 to their normal position, the return of the link 53 to its norma-l position operating through the springs 63 to quickly lift the switch arm 54 from its contact 65, thus breaking the circuit. When an undue excess of pressure enters the tank 10, such pressure passin through the pipe 43 and acting against t e diap ragm 42 will drive the rod 44 anddiaphragm 38 downwardly beyond their normal position or'to the reverse of the condition shown in Fig. 6, and this will cause the rod 44 to move the left hand end of the lever 5l downwardly and in causing the right hand end of said lever to turn upwardly, this resulting in the link 53 being turned downwardly at its outer end and in acting through the springs 64 to close the outer end of the switch arm against its contact 66., the outer end `of the link 52 at such time turning upwardly and holding the switch Iarm 54 clear of the 'contact 65; rI`he closing down of the switch arm 55 against its contact 66, completes a circuit through, the conductor 68, electromagnet 79, conductor 80,/ conductor 76, battery 77 and conductor 70l t0 the post or standard 62 and thence through the switch arm 55 to its contact 66, the formation of this circuit serving to energize themagnet 79 and cause the same to open the valve 21 for the purpose of. permitting the excess pressure in the upper end of the tank 7 O to blow off through the pipe 19. Under normal conditions the switch Imechanism will be in the condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

the tumblers or containers 1 and auxiliary tank.28, the rod 44 will be moved upwardly and form a circuit, as shown in Fig. 6, serv- .111g to admit additional pressure from the compressed air tank 15 to the tank 10. When the conditions have become -properly balanced,A the rod 44 will be lowered and re store the switch mechanism to the condition shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and when excess pressure occurs in the upper end of the tank 10, the rod 44 will ibe moved downwardly and complete its circuit through the electromagnet79v which will open the valve 21 to permit such excess pipe 19.

I have hereinbefore described the most satisfactory construction.embodying my invention at this time known Yto me, but I do not limit my invention to all of the details of form and-construction described, since I am aware that these details may be variously modified without departure from my invention and within the scope of the appended claims. I prefer to use water as the medium in the auxiliary tank 28, but mercury or other ressure within to blow off through the i momia fluid responsive to heat may be made use of instead of water. It is entirely convenient,

however, to employ water within the auxof the tank or retort 10. The pressure in the tank or retort 10 should always overbalance the internal pressure within the tumblers or jars 17, and the amount of the preponderance of pressure in the tank or retort l() may be governed by a more or less quantity of water placed within the auxiliary tank 28.

I have described switches and electro-magnets for opening the valves 20, 21 when neces sary, but I do not limit the invention to the use of the electric current for operating the valves 20, 21, since they are self-closing valves as shown in Fig. 7 and may be opened by other means, actuated by the ressure Iin the auxiliary tank 28, than the e ectric current. As, for illustration, they may be operated by compressed air. I preferably equip the valves 20, 21 with manually operative stems for opening the valves 20, 21` in the event that the electric current should fail.

The tank or retort 10 is equipped with a pressure gage 91 to indicate the ressure therein and the pipe 33 is equippe with a pressure gage 34 to indicate the pressure in the auxiliary tank 28, and by observing these gages the operator may at all times know the pressures existing in the retort and in the auxiliary tank 28 and may see to it that the pressure in the tank or retort 10 overbalances the pressure in the auxiliary tank 2,8.

The auxiliary tank 28 and its pipe connections 30, 33 leading to the diaphragm chamcomprising a main tank or retort within which products contained in cap ed tumblers and thelike are subjected to high temperatures, a compressed air tank connected by a pipe containing a valve with said retort for providing the necessary external pressure vloer 35 provide a sealed chamber and this against the caps on said tumblers, an auxiliary tank within the retort containing a luid and representativeof the pressure conmorena ditions within the tumblers, opposing diaphragms respectively exposed to the pressure within said auxiliary -tank and the pressure in said retort, a blow-off valve connected with said retort, and electrical means operable from said diaphragms for opening the compressed air valve to admit pressure to the retort in excess of the pressure generated within the tumblers and for opening said blow-oli? valve to'relieve the retort of undue excess pressure therein.

2. In apparatus of the character described comprisin a `main tank or retort within which pro ucts contained in capped tumblers and the likeare subjected to hlgh temperatures, a compressed air tank connected'by a pipe containing a valve with said retort for providin .the necessary external pressure a ainst t e, caps on said tumblers, an'auxiliary tank Within the retort containing a lluid and representative of the pressure conditions Within the tumblers, opposing diaphragms'respectively exposed to the pressure Within said auxiliary tank and the pressure in said retort, a reciprocatory rod en a ed at its ends by and operated from sai iaphragms, a frame in Whose end portions said diaphragms are held, a supporting switchbar mounted on said frame, a pivoted lever on the tumblers, an auxiliary tank exposed to the heat of the retort and containing a supported by said bar and-engaged at one side of its pivot by said rod to be operated in bothl directions therefrom, ivoted links articulated with the ends of said) lever, pivoted switch arms connected` by springs with and insulated from said links, a4 blow-oli valve connected with said retort, electro-magnets for opening said valves and electric circuits including said magnets and adapted to be respectively made and broken at said switch arms, said diaphragms, rod and lever being moved in one direction by the pressure in said auxiliary tank to-close one switch and complete the circuit to open said compressed airvalve to admit psggssure to the retort in excess of the pressure generated in' the tumblers, and in the other direction to open said one switch and close the other switchy by an undue excessV of pressure in the retort and complete the circuit kfor opening said blow-olf valve. ,y

8. In apparatus of the character described comprising a main tank or retort Within which products contained in capped tumblers and the' like are subjected to high temperatures, means for supplying pressure to the retort to act externally against the caps fluid. expansible by said heat and representative of the pressure conditions Within the tumblers and means governed by the pressure within said auxiliary tank for admit- A ting pressure to the retort in excess ofthe pressure generated within the tumblers, said i tents and adapted to ensure a reponderance of pressure within the retort' or preventing the caps from being blown off.

4. In apparatus of the character described comprising a main tank orv retort within which products contained in capped tumblers and the like are subjected to high temperatures, means for supplying pressure to the retort to act externally against the caps on the'tumblers, an`auxiliary tank exposed to the heat-,of the retort and containing a fluid expansible by said heat and representative of the pressure conditions Within the tumblers, means governed by the ressure Within said. auxiliary tank for a' mitting pressure to the retortin excess of the ,pressure generated 'Within the receptaclesand means operable by the pressure within the retort for. cutting ofi the pressure-supply therefrom when the requisite predominating pressure is attained within theretort, said pressure being independent of the. treated receptacle as regards its volume and contents and adapted to ensure a preponderance of pressure Within the retort for preventing the caps from being blown off.

5. In apparatus of the character described comprising a main tank or retort Within which products contained in capped tumblers and the like are subjected to high temperatures, means for supplying pressure to the retort to act externally against the caps on the tumblers, an auxiliary tank exposed to the heat of the retort and containing a l fluid ex ansible by said heat and re resentative o? the pressure conditions wit in the tumblers, means governed by .the pressure Within said auxillary tank for admitting -pressureto the retort in excess of the pressure generated within the receptacles, means operable b pressure within the retort for. cutting o the pressure-supply therefrom when the requisite predominating pressure is attained within the retort, and means operable by an undue excess of pressure in the retort for relieving the retort thereof, said auxiliary tank for regulating the counter-pressure being independent 0f the treated rece tacles as regards its volume and contents an adapted to ensurea preponderance of pressure Within the retort forpreventing the caps from being blown of.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in

which the auxiliary tank has means for supplying fluid thereto in regulatable quantity inaccordancewith the desired preponderance of pressure to be maintained in the re'- tort.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising a pressure gage indicating the pres.

sure within the retort, and a pressure gage operable from said diaphragms which conindicating the pressure Within the auxiliary trol theadmission lof pressure to, and its 10 tank. Venting from, the retort as required by the 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in treatment being conducted therein.

5 which the control for the pressure in the re- Signed at Wheeling, in the county of tort comprises diaphragms respectively eX- lOhio and State of West Virginia, this 20th posed to the pressure in the auxiliary tank day of February, A. D. 192 and thepressure in the retort and means HARRY INGRAM. 

